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Random Quote: First - Walk a mile in my shoes! Then you have a free pair of shoes and a 1 mile head start! ;o)

I won an ORCA 75qt cooler at a fishing tournament last month and was able to put it to the test this past weekend on a 5 day boat trip to Captiva.

I have to admit, I am very impressed. I would not consider myself one to spend upwards of $400 for a cooler but this thing is nothing short of amazing at keeping ice.

It sat on the boat the whole time in the hot Florida sun with temps in the mid 90's. Constant openings and refilling with warm and cold drinks really put the cooler to the test. All it took was an ice bucket or two from the hotel machine to replenish it in the morning and we were good to go for the day.

It seems to be constructed similar to the Yeti and Pelican coolers. Downside is that it is very heavy when full. I think empty it is around 25lbs or so.

I have several Coleman coolers including the Xtreme, where this cooler differs is it's ability to keep ice when constantly being opened and replenished. It is a very noticeable difference.

This past weekend definitely changed my thoughts on spending $400 on a cooler. If you are spending days on the water or out in the woods a ''super'' cooler is definitely worth the money.

Update: One year later and I could not be happier! The cooler sits in my boat 24/7 on the lift in the Florida sun and still looks like it did on day one. It has been to the Keys, Bahamas and numerous trips offshore both coasts of Florida and performs like no other cooler I have owned. Wife and I love it so much we bought a 26qt ''roadie' cooler to use around the house and outdoor events.

I have made believers and buyers out of half a dozen of my fishing buddies and all are super satisfied!

I know the ''super coolers'' are pricey but if you spend extended time outdoors they are well worth it.

. They all are about the same in ice retention. Granted, my Coleman extreme is pretty damn impressive too. But the Engel, Orca, Yeti, Grizzly, etc etc etc are all really nice. I've had a frigid rigid, an Icey tek, an engel, and fish regularly on a boat loaded with Yetis. They are all great. Pick your poison.

But I won't buy one until they produce a million stickers, endorse every fishing tv show, sell a bunch of trucker hats, and have a cup that holds ice for two weeks.

That being said, my next cooler purchase will be a Canyon Cooler strictly because it has the exact dimensions that I need.

__________________ A boat
A different boat (sold)
A smaller boat (in garage)
A larger boat (sold)
A white boat (got dirty, got rid of it)
An inflatable boat (popped, could not be repaired)
A plastic boat (in my pool)
Another boat (???)
A boat kind of like the second one
A canoe
3 kayaks